SDSU RECEIVERS FILL VOID WITH LOCKETT OUT

With San Diego State starting senior wide receiver Colin Lockett out of Friday’s game due to concussion-like symptoms from a hit in last week’s win at New Mexico State, the Aztecs needed some inspired play from their other receivers.

They got just that from freshman Eric Judge, who made his first catch, scored his first touchdown and then caught the winning touchdown pass in a 51-44 overtime victory over Nevada at Qualcomm Stadium.

Aztecs senior wideout Dylan Denso scored his first touchdown since 2011. Denso’s catch, a 25-yard grab with Nevada cornerback Elijah Mitchell draped around his waist, gave San Diego State a 23-17 lead going into halftime. Denso’s touchdown was set up by a spectacular one-handed catch by junior wide receiver Ezell Ruffin that put the Aztecs at the Nevada 25-yard line with 17 seconds to go in the first half.

Judge’s first score gave the Aztecs a 42-23 lead with 24 seconds left in the team’s huge 21-point third quarter.

San Diego State’s receivers didn’t do it all in the air, either.

Senior wideout Tim Vizzi took an end-around play and scored from 5 yards out to give the Aztecs a 36-17 lead with 8:09 to play in the third quarter.

Junior tight end Adam Roberts also had a fine game with three big catches for first downs.

Aztecs run game

Freshman running back D.J. Pumphrey, who rushed for 112 yards, scored on a 72-yard touchdown the first time he touched the ball to give San Diego State a 7-0 lead with 10:36 to go in the first quarter.

Junior Adam Muema looked more like his old self, breaking tackles and running hard all night, popping one gain for 50 yards and leading the Aztecs with 134 yards rushing.

No Fely

Junior linebacker Josh Gavert filled in big for injured middle linebacker Jake Fely, who was missed, especially in the fourth quarter when Nevada scored on three straight possessions to tie the game.

Gavert returned a fumble to the 9-yard line after linebacker Derek Largent forced a bobble by Nevada quarterback Cody Fajardo. That led to Muema’s 9-yard touchdown run to give the Aztecs a 29-17 lead with 12:29 to play in the third quarter.

The Aztecs’ defense was opportunistic all night with Damontae Kazee forcing a fumble with a big hit on Fajardo. Sam Meredith made up for a personal foul penalty early in the game to scoop it up and set up an Aztecs’ score to make it 36-17.

Kicking woes

Wes Feer was 8-for-8 on field goal tries until missing one against New Mexico State. It was ruled a block, but head coach Rocky Long said the kick was so low it hit the Aztecs’ offensive lineman.

Feer missed an extra point against Nevada that would have given the Aztecs a 30-17 lead. Once again, Feer’s kick was so low it was blocked.

Feer missed a 39-yard field goal with 10:36 remaining as the Aztecs failed to build on a 44-30 advantage.